A journaling tool categorized under the genre of self-help, ‘self-muse’ is an interactive journal with vivid, clear questions that guide you to create an honest dialogue with yourself. The prompt journal applies the science of well-being to encourage you to turn inwards—towards light and dark—helping you get to know yourself a bit better.

“We spend all our lives with ourselves, it is only fair we spend some time getting to know who we are…And, there is no real right or wrong way to journal…Overall, what defines journaling is the act of looking at what you’re thinking and feeling, and putting those concepts that are in your head onto paper…Then, you may begin to notice patterns in thoughts and experiences and take away understandings that you can use to improve your decision-making and overall quality of life.” - Zainab, the author at the ‘self-muse’ Launch on the 27th of August 2023

Zainab Hudha comes from a background in Psychology and the Creative Arts. She is a visual poet and mixed media artist, taking on the personal motto Made to Make in whatever it is that she does. Zainab’s nuanced understanding of human behavior and her drive to build people through creative problem-solving dictates most of what she does. Fusing her educational background and her passion for casual artistry, what she has ventured into thus far is a testament to celebrating the wholeness of life—the good, bad, and everything in between—in a way that nurtures people, bringing them closer to themselves.

‘Self-muse’ aims to do just that. It is a tool to start, continue, or develop journaling practices. The quality of prompted journaling acts as gentle handholding, as any user, explores the four central themes of the book:

Self-identity - Reintroducing yourself and getting reacquainted with the basics.
Growing up - Unpacking childhood and everything that went on at home.
Interpersonal relationships - Exploring views of oneself, the world, and how you think the world views you.
Purpose - Setting goals and taking care of your future self.

Who are you when you aren’t trying to be yourself? What specific moments made you grow up? Who are you in love? What do you want to be remembered for when you die?

Sometimes, it is easier to navigate the process of self-care when there is a manual. Similarly, the questions in ‘self-muse’ act as directions that when answered become an opportunity—whether it is to make better decisions, enjoy life deeply, or just because you want to try something out.

The core of this guided journal lies in how well-being is found in people understanding themselves and then employing that awareness to prioritize every aspect of life, and this is a lifelong process where new information is revealed to us as we go on to live life. And, ‘self-muse’ is there to get one started on this journey.